Mt Tremblant - The Best In The East 2012

We had the good fortune to ski Mt. Tremblant, Quebec this weekend. This Laurentian mountain rated Number 1 in the East, for many years, has this year become the Number 1 for ski conditions in the East as well. The mountain known for its negateive 35 degree skiing in January and February and often bullet proof hard packed snow and ice conditions, has became a more temperate mountain due to the effects of global warming. The temperatures hovering between -2 celsius to -12 celsius, with regular snow fall has made this mountain a unique pearl in a winter of unseemingly warm conditions and without snow in the East.

Tremblant has received regular dumps of snow and has received approximately 250 inches so far this season. The word on the lifts, is that the snow grooming, and lift operating has declined since the new purchasers of Intrawest have taken over and started trimming the operational budgets. You don't see the cats grooming the mountain all night to deliver a top to bottom cordoroy experience anymore. Nonetheless, the mountain offers a mix of  groomed and ungroomed runs, and this weekend, we found some fantatstic glade skiing that most visitors never encounter.

When we left the resort, we were in a winter storm, and by the time we reached St. Sauveur, it was blue skies. It appears the Tremblant is now attracting its own personal storm belt, bringing in the much needed snow and pleasant skiing experience.

If you haven't had a good season this year in the east. Go check out Mt. Tremblant. You won't be dissappointed.

The Adventure Guy

Akumal Beach Resort- Mayan Riviera- Mexico

We had the pleasure of being guests in this quaint and well managed all inclusive resort in the Mayan riviera. Akumal means turtle in Mayan, and this resort is located on an ecologically protected bay, in order to protect the sea tortoises, coral reefs, and other sea life in this bay. In fact the entire Mayan coast is protected with the world's second largest coral reef, making the beaches there safe for swimming and excellent for snorkelling. This beach does not allow any windsurfers, jet skiers or any other devices that might scare the wildlife or the snorkelers. This effect makes the beach a special place to turn off the blackberry and chill.

The uniqueness of this all inclusive is the tranquility of the bay, and the personnel that operate it. Everyone is in a cheerful pleasant manor and the general greeting of Olla is shared by all staff. The facilities are exceptionally clean, although the rooms could be updated in the older section of the development. The food is tastefully prepared in a health conscious manner with many steamed vegetables, lots of fresh fish and some of the best guacomole I have ever experienced.

The resort is surrounded by mayan jungle so entering it is like stepping into and ecological conservation area with entertainment and food. The young entertainers are charming and talented as they participated in all events from karaoke, to beach volleyball, to theater. They are all university students from different parts of latin America (there is one Canadian there too!)

For a lovely Mayan experience, without the hustle and bustle of the bigger locations, check out Akumal Beach Resort.

Olla,

The Adventure Guy

Mount St. Louis Moonstone - The little Mountain that Could

I had my first ski day this season today, and the best conditions in Ontario happen to be at this destination. The uniqueness of Mt. St. Louis http://www.mountstlouis.com/  is that its roots are from its Austrian family ownership, with real mountain expertise. In fact the founder  Josl Huter, who started and now operates Mt. St. Louis, was friends with the founder of Blue Mountain, Jozo Weider. The emphasis at Mt. St. Louis is a good mountain experience, not selling time shares, not retail shopping, not mountain biking. Just good old downhill skiing, with possibly the best terrain park in the province, and perhaps, the most consistent bump field as well.

However, this year's secret is the new 25 acre lake that they built atop the mountain to provide enough water for artificial snow making, and their state of the art equipment. It appears that global warming is starting to take effect this winter, with less cold weather and snow than I have seen in my lifetime. The winner in this new climate change, may be the one with the best snow making, and the luck of being in the snow belt as is Mt. St. Louis.

As a well travelled, ski adventurer, this local mountain cannot compare to its rivals in Quebec and B.C., for vertical, and size, but it makes it up with excellent uphill capacity, grooming, terrain parks, snow making etc. etc. For a day out of Toronto with some of the best snow in the GTA region this season check out Mount Saint Louis Moonstone.


The Adventure Guy

Selva Maya - Zip Lines and Cenote

I had the fortune of being introduced to this special adventure park by a local Akumal resident. Selva means jungle in Mayan. The company details can be found at http://www.edventuretours.com.mx/ . The park grounds is nothing short of excellent. The park is about 4 months old and is located about 20 kms north of Tulum in the Mayan Riviera. We were driven into the deep part of the jungle on a small ATV where we met our guide Brian. We were trained on zip lining, which I had done before in Costa Rica. However, this adventure was one step up. In the Costa Rican experience you had to wear leather gloves to control your speed when zipping from one tree top to the next. In Selva Maya they have a brake that the guides attach to the wire to slow you down before reaching the next tree top. Kind of like an automatic transmission in a roller coaster ride. One less thing to worry about. However, I noticed that all the carribeeners were brand new and high quality. The safety protocols were excellent as they hooked you onto a secure station before ever connecting you to a moving part. excellent safety training. The kids loved the adventure, and we went from tree to tree without a single incident.

From there we were brought to a cenote deep in the forest. There was a small hole in the ground which opened up into a large underground cavern with stalagtites, and beautiful clear fresh water to snorkel in. The fish were small and less colourful than what we had seen elsewhere. I suppose it has to do that they are not exposed to sunlight. The cave was lit up with electric lamps that allowed divers to explore without needing head lamps. The tour did supply powerful underwater flashlights that allowed you to see the rocks and fish below as well.

This is a great adventure and very non touristic. They bring about 20 to 30 visitors per day, so the experience is genuine and personable. A very worthwhile day trip at the Selva Mayan.

Ola,

The Adventure Guy

Yal Ku Cenote - Akumal Mexico

We had the good fortune to be introduced to this unique land formation which connects the fresh water of the underground rivers of the area to the Carribean sea. This area known as a cenote is  made of limestone rock formation which is chock full of tropical fish of all sizes and colours. The limestone creates wonderful caves and angles, which makes this cenote, exceptionally beautiful to explore. The location of Yal Ku is just outside of Akumal Beach in the Mayan Riviera, right behind the house that the Greatful Dead used to own and vacation in. They obviously had good taste in recreational property.

To snorkel in this lagoon, you are asked not to wear any sunscreen as that detracts from the water quality of the tropical fish. You can rent fins and snorkels, and life jackets are mandatory. Total cost is about $20.00 u.s. per person. I received a large abrashion on my shoulder from the rubbing against the strap adjustment of their life jacket. I recommend that you wear a rash guard or t-shirt under the life jacket to avoid injuring yourself as well.

I have snorkeled in various parts of the world, but this location exceeds them all for the quantity and magnitude of tropical fish. It looks unassuming when you approach it, but once you enter the water world below, it blows you away. There are wooden stairs around the cenote to make access into the water that much easier. One interesting feature of the water, is the blurred vision you notice while snorkeling. Apparently this is caused from the meeting of the fresh water with salt water. A highly recommended day trip if you are in the Mayan Riviera.

Ola

The Adventure Guy

Akumal -Mayan Riviera -Mexico

I am writing today from the beautiful beach resort of Akumal in the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. Akumal means turtle in Mayan, and this beach is the area where sea turtles lay their eggs for reproduction. It is an ecologically protected area with coral reefs and shallow waters filled with beautiful fish and large tortoises. When I did my first dive, i was expecting to find a cute little turtle about the size of a football in the ocean. I then found a moving green sea tortoise of approximately 4 feet in length and a head of about 2 feet. I got a chill up my spine when I saw my first one. There are 2 species here, loggerheads and green turtles. When you dive below the surface, you enter a serene world that is quiet and peaceful and colourful. Little do these harmless creatures realize the dangers that us humans create for their existence.

There is a conservation museum at the beach that attempts to educate people on reducing the impact on the turtles environment. Unfortunately, urban waste water development does affect the algae production, which creates imbalances with the sea weed that the turtles eat. The clearing of the mangroves, or wetlands for resort developments reduces natures natural cleansing system of waste water before it enters the ocean, further creating imbalances in the oceans waters. This has an impact on the seaweed growth, causing potential risks to the turtles habitat. Only one out of 1000 turtle eggs born make it to adulthood. These creatures are very passive and have many predators. They are harmless as you snorkel around them and they graze on the seaweed below. attached is the local web cam at the Lo Ha restaurant. http://www.locogringo.com/upload/akumal-beach-cam.html

We humans are the most dangerous creatures on the planet.  We need to appreciate the gentleness of turtles to understand how we need to tread carefully on the environment. My first tortoise I saw I have now named Donattello.

Before arriving in Mexico, we were quite concerned about safety, as we had heard about the violence around the country. Security is everywhere in the area, and we feel safe and well taken care of in this oasis of life by the sea.

Come and enjoy the Mayan Riviera, but tread carefully on the earth when you come down.

"We do not inherit the earth from our parents. We borrow it from our children" Chief Seattle

Ola!


The Adventure Guy